Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season is here and most of the league is battling to secure a playoff spot. Both of the team’s in this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup fit that description as the Dallas Cowboys are set to take on the New Orleans Saints. Only one of these teams can leave the Caesars Superdome victorious, but time will tell which squad that will be.
Read on for statistics, betting odds (BetOnline) and analysis as to what you can expect in tonight’s Cowboys vs Saints Thursday Night Football matchup.
Cowboys vs Saints General Information and Statistics
Tonight’s Thursday Night Football matchup will be played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana — where the Saints are currently 2-3. Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. EST and the game can be viewed on FOX and the NFL Network, as well as multiple streaming platforms.
The Cowboys are averaging 29.6 points per game this season, which is tied for the second-best average so far this season. Meanwhile, the Saints average 23.4 PPG — 18th-best in the NFL. Defensively, Dallas is surrendering 22.7 PPG (T-13th) while New Orleans has been giving up an average of 22.6 PPG (12th).
Thursday Night Football: Cowboys vs Saints Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Wednesday, December 1
- Dallas Cowboys (7-4) vs New Orleans Saints (5-6)
- Moneyline: Cowboys (-205) vs Saints (+175)
- Spread: Cowboys -4.5 (-110) vs Saints +4.5 (-110)
- Total: 47.5 — Over (-109), Under (-111)
- Head-to-Head: Saints are 7-3 against the Cowboys in their last 10 games.
The complete odds list and prop bets are available at BetOnline.ag.
Cowboys Dealing With Adversity
After a 7-2 start to the season, the Cowboys have been struggling lately, losing each of their last two games. They’re now hoping to reverse their fortunes in this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys must deal with some adversity this week. For starters, head coach Mike McCarthy tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, as did several other players and coaching staff members. That’s in addition to the fact that star wideout Amari Cooper is still showing COVID symptoms of his own after missing Dallas’ last two games, so it isn’t even a guarantee that he’ll return. Plus, running back Ezekiel Elliot has been dealing with a lingering knee injury, so he may be less than 100% if he plays.
The good news is that the Cowboys will be facing Taysom Hill as the Saints’ starting quarterback for Thursday Night Football. Hill was turnover-prone when he started four games under center for New Orleans last year, throwing two interceptions while fumbling the ball six times during that span. On the other hand, Dallas’ defense creates 2.0 turnovers per game on the road — the sixth-best average in the NFL. If the Cowboys can get at Hill and put the pressure on him to make mistakes, they could get back in the win column.
Could Thursday Night Football Be the End of Saints’ Streak?
The Saints are entering this week’s TNF matchup having lost their last four games in a row. While the first two losses were decided by single digits, New Orleans has been outscored a combined 71-35 in its most recent pair of games. Needless to say, there’s hope that they can take advantage of the Cowboys’ situation to end their streak.
While Hill may have his aforementioned turnover issues, he did lead the Saints to a 3-1 record when he was the starting quarterback. It’s a small sample size, however, it shows that he can figure out a way to win. He loves to run the ball and the Cowboys have given up the third-most rushing touchdowns to QBs this season (4), so it could end up being a favorable matchup. Nevertheless, Hill and Mark Ingram could see a lot of carries if Alvin Kamara is forced to miss another game.
The big test will be if the Saints defense can contain the Cowboys offense. New Orleans has given 31.3 points per game over its last four contests, which ranks fourth-worst in the league during that time. Considering how dangerous Dallas can be with the ball, that type of play won’t cut it on Thursday. With a few key offensive players missing or at less than 100% for the Cowboys, the Saints need to take advantage of the hand they’ve been dealt.
